Fluid-pressure-operated hoist



Aug. 20, 1929. A mDDLE r AL 1,725,302

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED HOIST Filed July 25, 1924 WARD D. CARPENTER Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BOY A. RIDDLE, 0! NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, AND WARD D. CARPENTER, OE HEM- PHIS. TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOEB TO STANDARD OIL DEVELOPHEN T COMPANY, A COR- PORATION O1 DELAWARE.

FLUID-PRESSURE- Application filed July 25,

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle elevating means operated by fluid pressure. The primary purpose of the 1nvention is to rovide a simple, easily 0 erated device a apted to raise an auto no ile or other vehicle into a position facilitating lubrication, repairs and the like.

Fluid-pressure-operated hoists for automobiles have heretofore been devised and have been found to present important advantages over hoists operated by screw jacks, cable and drum means, crank and gear connections and equivalent mechanical devices. Experience has shown, however, that prior fluid-pressure-operated hoists in some respects lack the sim licity and flexibility which are essential or general commercial use.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a hoist characterized by certain important advantages new in the art. Among these may be mentioned the provision of a simple, strong frame adapted for easy actuation by hydraulic lifting means or the like, and the combination with such frame of improved auxiliary supporting means for insuring the safe use of the hoist. A particular advantage of the new construction is that it may be elevated bodily in horizontal position or may be tilted upward at either end.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the appended description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation-of a preferred embodiment of the improved hoist installation, partly in section to show the construction of the fluid pressure means;

Fig. 2 is a top-plan view of the hoist; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail showing the manner of connecting the frame to its supporting means. 1

Referring to the drawing,

bers for receiving the wheels of the vehicle. Channel irons are preferably used for this purpose. If desired the frame may be so arranged as to engage the axles of the vehicle but it is ordinarily more convenientto provide trackdike members upon which the vehicle may be run or drawn. The channel irons or equavilent means are rigidly conreference I111. merals 1 and 2 denote suitable frame mem-' OPERATED HOIST.

1924. Serial No. 728,096.

nected together by crossbars 3 and 4. The frame so formed is supported upon beams 5 and 6 which are firmly secured by means of rivets or the like respectively to the tops of pistons 7 and 8.

The frame is prevented from moving laterally by flanges or blocks 9 secured to the beams 5 and 6. It may however have a slight longitudinal motion limited by flanges 10 and 11 riveted to the under side of the beams. Chains 12 may be secured to the beams 5 and 6 and to the frame: their primary purpose is to prevent substantial vertical displacement of the frame while allowing t some freedom of movement to permit tilting, as subsequently described. I-beams are preferably used. They should have the margins of their upper flanges bent downward- 'ly, as shown most clearly in Fig. 3, to facilitate the tilting movement of the frame.

To guard against settling of the frame in case of a fall of pressure in the lifting means, legs 13 are pivoted to the frame at .14. These legs are held against the channel irons by suitable catches 13 when not required for use.

In a preferred embodiment of the lifting means, a pressure-resisting tank 15 containing oil 16 is connected through pipe 17 to an air-compressor or other sources of fluid pressure (not shown). A pipe 18 has its lower end submerged in the oil and leads through. two branches 19 and 20 respectively to cylinders 21 and 22 in which the pistons 7 and 8 operate. The opening through which the oil enters each piston is preferably of restricted area so that in case of fall of pressure the oil can not escape rapidly.

The pistons, one of which is shown in section in Fig. 1, have a loose sliding fit in the cylinders. The oil or other fluid passes downwardly between the cylinder and piston to the chamber beneath the latter. The pistons should be of suflicient length to permit adequate elevation of the frame while leaving a considerable portion of the piston within the cylinder. In this way the stability of the frame and its burden is insured. The upward travel of the piston is preferably restricted by a band 23 secured to it at a suitable o int. It is convenient to shrink a band on tiie piston at a point such that it will meet a shoulder at the head of the cylinder when the maximum desired elevation is reached.

I have found that it is ordinarily satisfactory to employ only a single elevating device at each end of the frame but two or more may be used at each end, if desired.

U Other than'terminal arrangements of the elevating means are feasible also.

When the improved device is installed in the open air it is desirable to provide drain pipes 24 or the like for taking off surface water.

. prevent the automobile from rolling off the frame. It is convenient to provide rack bars 28 on the sides of the frame for adjustably receiving the chains that secure the checks.

As noted above, an important novel feature of the present invention is the adaptability of the hoist to either horizontal or oblique lifting. Valves 29 and 30 in the oil lines are provided so that either line may be out off as desired when only one end of the frame is to be elevated. When the supporting legs are raised and the pressure released by suitable actuation of the valve 25, the

frame will settle slowly into its lowermost position as its weight displaces the oil from the cylinders.

While reference has been made particularly to the use of oil as a pressure-transmitting fluid, it will be understood that any suitable fluid-pressure means is applicable. Pneumatic or hydraulic devices of various types may be used. While at present I regard a stationary installation designed for facilitating lubrication and repair of automobiles as a preferred emodiment of the invention, portable units may be provided and used for diiferent purposes, such as the handling of cars for shipment or storage. Various other modifications of the illustrative form of the invention described may be made within the scope of the appended claim.

We claim:

A hoist comprising longitudinal members adapted to receive a vehicle, fluid-pressure means beneath said members and operably disposed to elevate the same, transverse I-beams having'an upper flange bent downwardly to provide a curved surface and supporting said members for longitudinal tiltmg movement, stops at each end of said members for limiting such movement, stops for preventing transverse movement of such members, and means for preventing substantial vertical movement of said members with respect to said beams while permitting tilting of said members.

ROY A. RIDDLE. WARD D. CARPENTER. 

